Basis of Presentation

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (we, our or the Company) owns and operates full-service dining restaurants in the United States and Canada under the trade names Red Lobster^®, Olive Garden^®, LongHorn Steakhouse^®, The Capital Grille^®, Bahama Breeze^®, Seasons 52^®, Eddie V's Prime Seafood^®and Wildfish Seafood Grille^®. We have prepared these consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally presented in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the quarter ended November 27, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending May 27, 2012.

These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes to consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2011. The accounting policies used in preparing these consolidated financial statements are the same as those described in our Form 10-K.

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of sales and costs and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We have reclassified certain amounts in the prior-period consolidated statement of cash flows to conform to the current period’s presentation.

Unless otherwise noted, amounts and disclosures throughout the notes to consolidated financial statements relate to our continuing operations.

Unearned Revenues

Unearned revenues represent our liability for gift cards that have been sold but not yet redeemed. We recognize sales from our gift cards when the gift card is redeemed by the customer. Although there are no expiration dates or dormancy fees for our gift cards, based on our analysis of our historical gift card redemption patterns, we can reasonably estimate the amount of gift cards for which redemption is remote, which is referred to as “breakage”. We recognize breakage within sales for unused gift card amounts in proportion to actual gift card redemptions, which is also referred to as the “redemption recognition” method. The estimated value of gift cards expected to remain unused is recognized over the expected period of redemption as the remaining gift card values are redeemed, generally over a period of 10 years. Utilizing this method, we estimate both the amount of breakage and the time period of redemption. If actual redemption patterns vary from our estimates, actual gift card breakage income may differ from the amounts recorded. We update our estimates of our redemption period and our breakage rate periodically and apply that rate to gift card redemptions.

Acquisition of Eddie V's

On November 14, 2011, we completed the acquisition of eight Eddie V's Prime Seafood restaurants and three Wildfish Seafood Grille restaurants (collectively Eddie V's) and all related assets and net working capital for $59.2 million in cash. The results of operations from Eddie V's, which are immaterial, are included in our consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

The acquisition resulted in the recording of depreciable assets, definite-lived amortizable intangible assets and indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill. We are in the process of confirming, through internal studies and third-party valuations, the fair value of these assets, including buildings and equipment and intangible assets. The fair values set forth below are based on preliminary valuations and are subject to adjustment as additional information is obtained. When the valuation process is completed, adjustments to goodwill may result.

The preliminary allocation of the purchase price is as follows:



(in millions)
Current assets	$	1.7
Buildings and equipment	26.8
Trademarks	17.0
Other assets	2.9
Goodwill	16.6
Total assets acquired	$	65.0
Current liabilities	4.5
Other liabilities	1.3
Total liabilities assumed	$	5.8
Net assets acquired	$	59.2

The excess of the purchase price over the aggregate fair value of net assets acquired was allocated to goodwill, all of which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Trademarks primarily have an indefinite life based on the expected use of the assets and the regulatory and economic environment within which they are being used. These trademarks represent highly respected brands with positive connotations and we intend to cultivate and protect the use of these brands. Goodwill and indefinite-lived trademarks are not amortized but are reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. Buildings and equipment will be depreciated over a period of 5 months to 23 years. Other assets and liabilities represent value associated with favorable and unfavorable market leases and will be amortized over a weighted average period of 16 years.

As a result of the acquisition and related integration efforts, we incurred expenses of approximately $1.3 million during the quarter ended November 27, 2011, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of earnings. Pro-forma financial information of the combined entities for periods prior to the acquisition is not presented due to the immaterial impact of the financial results of Eddie V's on our consolidated financial statements.